Tag: michelle martin

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Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard gave a short response to the decision of Poor Clares in Namur to host Michelle Martin after a future early release. The affair has not yet died down, and the general trend seems to be one of a lack of understanding and anger. The sisters themselves, after meeting with the parents of one of Dutroux’ victims, did not retract their offer to Martin.

Here is the archbishop’s response in my translation:

“I have heard via the media the decision from the court about the conditional release of Michelle Martin. It is not to us, as Church, to comment on a decision of the courts. Whether or not Michelle Martin is released, where and under which circumstances is fully a matter for the civil and legal authorities in this country.

I am aware that the conditional release of Michelle Martin, against which the Public Prosecutor has appealed, triggers many emotions in the victims and their families. I also realise that the decision of the court leads to incomprehension and even anger in a large part of the population.

I have taken note of the statement of the Poor Clares of Malonne, released on 31 July. This statement did justice to the immeasurable suffering of the victims and to the chance for conversion that every person may get.

I wish to emphasise that the Poor Clares of Malonne do not fall under the direct authority of a bishop. After long internal discussion, they have answered positively to the request from the lawyers of Michelle Martin and from the judiciary, since there has seemingly not been found another shelter for her. The sisters made this decision completely autonomously, without consulting the bishops. They have carefully considered the conditions for this shelter which the court has imposed on Michelle Martin.

The shelter that the sisters potentially want to give Michelle Martin, can not diminish the unequivocal choice that the bishops have made to remain on the side of the victims and their relatives in the child abuse affair. This choice is and remains a priority for the bishops.

The social feasibility of the residence of Michelle Martin in Malonne is not a question that needs answering by ecclesial authorities. It is a question that falls under the domain of authority of civil and legal government. The decisions that are made there, are decisive for us.”

+André-Joseph Léonard
Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels
10.08.2012

A clear explanation from the archbishop, as we may expect from him. If there is anything lacking in the above, it is some words to the effect that the decision of the sisters was also made out of Christian charity, and also some clear support for the sisters. They may not fall under the bishops’ authority, but that doesn’t mean that the bishops can’t express support, of course.

Over the past days there has been much talk about the suggested early release of Michelle Martin, the ex-wife of Belgian child molester and murderer Marc Dutroux. Convicted in 2004 of complicity in the abuse and death of two of Dutroux’ victims, she was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment. Now, after having served 8 of those years, and having served 8 more years before her conviction, she is up for early release. Although this yet needs to be granted by a judge, a community of Poor Clares in Namur has indicated that Martin can take up residence with them following a future release.

Abbess Sister Christine spoke about their decision on 31 July. She said, “[…] we thought that, in our society, no one would win if we would respond to violence with violence. We are convinced that permanently locking up of criminals in their criminal past and leaving them to despair would mean a step backwards for our society.”

After much deliberation the Poor Clares of Malonne indicated two conditions. First, that the current administration of justice is fully respected, and, second, that Martin shows true progress and is able to fully commit herself safely and with the slightest chance possible for recidivism.

Following all this, there have been protests at the monastery, and altogether too many tasteless accusations that linked Martin’s crimes to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church (and, in extension, Catholics in general are made suspect). The Poor Clares’ decision to display such enormous hospitality, although it befits their vocation, is presented as if they condone the crimes and, in fact, made the decision to release Martin themselves. The latter is up to a judge to decide, and the former is, frankly insulting.

The sisters of Malonne have nothing to say about the administration of justice. Go protest at the courts of law if you are against the early release of Michelle Martin. There is nothing the Poor Clares can do about it. What they can do is provide a safe house for a person who, according to the law, paid for her crimes. A house safe for her and which makes her safe for society.

Mother Abbess emphasised that Michelle Martin will not become a sister or join the religious community in any way. She will be provided with food and lodging and required to contribute to her own life. She is kept away from the site of her crimes (the Belgian provinces of Limburg and Liège have been declared off-limits to her).

Is this a matter of justice? Not in the sense that Michelle Martin has avoided punishment for her crimes. She has served the time the law requires of her. Whether or not we believe that that time has been too short is of no matter when looking at the case from a purely legal point of view.

The Poor Clares in Malonne, in going through the effort of housing Martin, go beyond the precepts of the (secular) law, providing for these thoughts that, somehow, she hasn’t paid enough for her crimes. Michelle Martin is kept away from where she could, in theory, do harm or cause scandal.

This is not condoning misdeeds, but providing for the best solution for both Martin and society. To somehow twist this into an accusation against the sisters and Catholics in general is something I consider gravely insulting.

About the author

I am Mark de Vries, a 38-year-old lay Catholic from Groningen, the Netherlands, and happily married since March of 2017. I am interested in the Catholic faith and the Church, which is what this blog is for. Other interests include, history, language and a combination of these. I also enjoy reading, drawing, cycling, photography and a good movie or series.

For a personal account about my reasons for becoming and remaining Catholic, go read my story: Why am I Catholic?

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